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Penn State pledges $1.5M to sex-crime support groups
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State will give $1.5 million from its share of postseason bowl revenue to two sex-crime advocacy groups as it deals with the aftermath of sex abuse allegations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
School officials promised the donation Thursday as part of a three-year partnership with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
The money will come from Penn State's share of Big Ten bowl revenue.
University President Rodney Erickson says the scandal illustrates the impact such abuse has not only on individuals but broader communities.
The Sandusky scandal resulted in the departures of coach Joe Paterno and university President Graham Spanier. Mr. Sandusky has acknowledged showering with young boys but says he never sexually abused them.
-- Associated Press
Mr. Sandusky's lawyer on Thursday dismissed as "completely unfounded" suggestions the former football coach may consider a plea deal to charges that he molested at least eight boys.
"Jerry has never considered and is not currently considering a plea in his case," said lawyer Joseph Amendola.
Mr. Amendola issued the statement after The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News quoted him saying that Mr. Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach, might have to consider a plea "if more allegations come forth and Jerry gets to the point where he realizes fighting against more than the original allegations might be a real uphill battle."
Mr. Amendola said his remarks were in response to a hypothetical question as to how his legal strategy might change if 15 or 20 new accusers came forward.
"My answer to the 'what-if' question was analogous to saying, if weather forecasters were predicting a blizzard next week, which they are not, I would have to at least consider the possibility of postponing my scheduled trip to Philadelphia," Mr. Amendola said. "Of course, I'd have to reconsider the trip under those circumstances, just as I would have to discuss with Jerry all the possible alternatives in his case if the [attorney general] were to file additional charges."
Prosecutors have not confirmed new victims or added charges since Mr. Sandusky's Nov. 5 arrest.
In recent days, several civil lawyers have announced that they are representing alleged victims of Mr. Sandusky.
In his interview with The Patriot-News, Mr. Amendola said: "Bottom line, Jerry has always maintained his innocence, from the first allegation, and continues to maintain innocence. What happens with any additional charges which may be filed remains to be seen."
-- Philadelphia Inquirer
First Published December 2, 2011 12:00 am
